The Inaugural Lineup: Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman

Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman will perform at Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 20.

Poet and playwright Elizabeth Alexander will deliver a poem, and John Williams has composed a musicial selection for the event. Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and the Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr., will deliver benedictions.

None of the entertainers in the lineup are a surprise. There had been rumors for some time that Franklin would have some role in the ceremonies, and Williams’ music was played at Obama’s Nov. 4 victory celebration in Chicago’s Grant Park.

The most interesting choice, however, is Warren. He is pro-life, and, although Obama appeared during the campaign at an August forum at Warren’s megachurch, the consensus was that rival John McCain felt much more comfortable and fared much better in the environment.

What’s more, there’s little love lost between Warren and opponents of Prop 8. In an interview with Beliefnet, Warren cited concerns over freedom of speech in supporting the measure to ban same-sex marriage.

The swearing-in ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m., with the new president taking the oath of office around noon.

Here’s the lineup, in order of appearance, announced today by Sen. Diane Feinstein, chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies:

Musical SelectionsThe United States Marine Band

Musical SelectionsThe San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus